Bonnie

In all likelihood she would receive no punishment anyway. Remember when an employee caused the demise of REAL Boquete, the original recycling organization, by stealing substantial amounts of REAL money? It’s my understanding that she never was even arrested.

Sorry, Bud. I know it’s Boquete Community Group but mixed it up with Boquete News (which, in turn, I often confuse with News Boquete.)

I have no idea what this means.

I find it very hard to share anything from Facebook, but try this: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boquetecommunity/permalink/2041736432555187/

Okay. In the case of my home robbery about two months ago, the Police came to the house to take a statement. I then went to both the Personeria and the Corregidora to file a denuncia. It was the police who had the perp's photo on their phone, but you seem to be suggesting that by law they do no investigation. Presumably, this is done by the DOJ. This is exactly what everyone is confused about. Also, if the police don't investigate crime, what else is left for them to do?

It is reported on Facebook (Boquete Community News) that a young woman was robbed by a knife-wielding man at San Francisco Plaza. The post is by a woman named AdelinaKathy Mancebo (no space between Adelina and Kathy), who says that the victim is her son's girlfriend. Allegedly, police told her they could do nothing unless she had the man's name and, if and when apprehended, he had her phone and other things (unspecified) in his possession at the time of the apprehension. Any number of people are outraged by this, as evidenced by the responses on Facebook. Can this be true? If so, it leads me to ask exactly what the limitations are under which the police work here. While there is widespread dissatisfaction with law enforcement in Boquete (and perhaps all of Panama), there seem to be opposing factions that suggest different explanations for police ineffectiveness. One faction, most vocally represented by ACC Boquete, advocates support for the local police to enable them to do their jobs better. Another faction maintains that the police basically are lazy, have no interest in investigating and enforcing the law. A third view is that the laws of Panama are so weak that the hands of the police are tied. I don't recall any of these viewpoints presenting much in the way of facts to support their positions. I would like to hear the views of someone with more knowledge than I possess about criminal law and law enforcement in Panama. What is the true situation?

USTVNow no longer is available via Roku. How had you been getting it?

I haven't had USTVNow in months.

I certainly don't disagree with that. Sorry if I misunderstood.

I have written earlier that, on the whole, I find Panamanians to be polite and helpful. I rarely have been treated badly on a personal level and most times have been treated extraordinarily well by individual Panamanians. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have “disdain” for many of the country's “decisions,” if I understand what you mean by this. Poor infrastructure planning, atrocious customer service, inadequate inventory control, a laughable criminal justice system, and the like may be cultural, but they should not be found acceptable—here, in Canada, in the United States, or anywhere else in the world. A mark of development for nations is advances in these areas. There are countries with a history similar to Panama’s that have made great strides when Panama has not.

If the post didn't make it clear, emergency contact is available at all times, 24/7. Call 317-5000 and hold for instructions.

U.S. Embassy - Panama Consular Section IMPORTANT INFORMATION The American Citizens Services Unit commits to a one business day e-mail response-time In order to improve our customer service to our U.S. Citizens in Panama, starting October 9, the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit is happy to announce it will respond to all email inquiries in one business day. If you have a routine question related to an ACS service, please email panama-acs@state.gov. All routine questions will be routed through the one business day response time e-mail address. If you have a life or death emergency, please call 317-5000 and follow the instructions for emergency calls. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) will continue receiving external calls from 10:30-11:30am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The Embassy phone number is (507) 317-5000. For automated information, please call (507) 317-5030. For Federal Benefits questions, we continue to encourage writing to FBU (panama-fbu@state.gov) by e-mail. Additionally, we would like to remind our customers that ACS and FBU operate on an appointment-only system for all services except emergency ACS cases and adult passport renewals. American Citizen Services To schedule an appointment, please see the Embassy’s ACS page, which can be found here. Federal Benefits To schedule an appointment, please send an email to Panama-FBU@state.gov. EMBAJADA DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS – PANAMÁ Sección Consular INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE La Unidad de Servicios para Ciudadanos Estadounidenses se compromete a un tiempo de respuesta de correo electrónico de un día hábil En miras de mejorar nuestro servicio al cliente a nuestros Ciudadanos Estadounidenses en Panamá, a partir del 9 de octubre, la Unidad de Servicios para Ciudadanos Americanos (ACS) se complace en anunciar que responderá a todas las consultas por correo electrónico en un día hábil. Si tiene una pregunta de rutina relacionada con un servicio de ACS, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a panama-acs@state.gov. Todas las preguntas de rutina enviadas a través de correo electrónico se manejarán por medio de nuestro tiempo de respuesta de un día hábil. Si tiene una emergencia de vida o muerte, por favor sírvase llamar al 317-5000 y siga las instrucciones para llamadas de emergencia. La Unidad de Beneficios Federales (FBU) continuará recibiendo llamadas externas de 10:30 - 11: 30 am los lunes, martes, jueves y viernes. El número de teléfono de la Embajada es (507) 317-5000. Para obtener información automatizada, llame al (507) 317-5030. Para preguntas sobre Beneficios Federales, seguimos recomendando que se escriba a FBU (panama-fbu@state.gov) por correo electrónico. Adicional, nos gustaría recordar a nuestros clientes que ACS y FBU operan únicamente por citas para todos los servicios, excepto los casos de emergencia de ACS y las renovaciones de pasaportes de adultos. Servicios a Ciudadanos Americanos Para programar una cita, consulte la página de la Embajada bajo ACS, la cual puede encontrar aqui. Beneficios Federales Para programar una cita, envíe un correo electrónico a Panama-FBU@state.gov. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama 507-317-5000 Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 Panama Country Information Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates

I wholly agree with the quality of life consideration when diagnosed with advanced cancer. If one already has received a death sentence, I would think that spending time left in the most comfort possible is a wise decision. This is distinctly different from a diagnosis of early stage cancer, however, which has been shown to be largely curable by conventional medicine. It is heartbreaking to witness cases like the aforementioned Steve Jobs who stood an excellent chance of recovery had he not opted for homeopathic treatment of his cancer. And anecdotal evidence isn't really evidence; it is chance and coincidence. I fail to understand how thinking adults cannot understand the validity of clinical trials but "educate" themselves with spurious, unproven studies and claims. As for the links between physicians and drug companies, there is no denying that it exists to some degree; that has been proven. But I will never believe that thousands and thousands of doctors, trained to do no harm, willingly relinquish this mandate, condemn thousands and thousands to death, for financial gain. But, as you say, this is a personal choice. I recommend that anyone facing a decision about cancer treatment read the award-winning treatise The Emperor of All Madadies: A Biography of Cancer. by Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee. for a history and understanding of the disease.

I certainly felt it here—plus a small aftershock a few minutes later.

I believe this is the first time I've ever seen or heard theft being described as a "bad habit."

I encourage anyone tempted to watch this to first read the following: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-truth-about-cancer-series-is-untruthful-about-cancer/ It's unconscionable for anyone to promote so anti-scientific a program as "The Truth About Cancer." Adhering to its advice easily could be a death sentence. Remember Steve Jobs, folks.

The library can accommodate 80 people. So I believe the 40 seats available takes into account people who already responded when the first announcement first was made last week. For the record, I encouraged them to explore a larger venue like BCP and the Animales building.

The above flyer is the promised "more complete information." I have asked why it is in Spanish if it is directed at expats, as noted. There is a separate flyer, also in Spanish, for hotels. I am researching the best way to disseminate that information.

The Public Affairs division on the U.S. Embassy, Panama, has asked that I disseminate notice that they will be sponsoring a presentation on safety in Boquete on October 12, 2018, at the Boquete Library. New York City police officers will be addressing the assembly on issues of senior safety and burglary prevention. More complete information is forthcoming, but the Embassy would like to gauge the level of interest so as to better prepare for the meeting. Those interested in attending are asked to confirm their interest by email to Julia Fong: FongJA2@america.gov.

Excellent to hear this. Progress at last at ATTT.

I received an email earlier this week saying they hoped to have additional information to me by Friday. It didn't come, so I expect it will be early next week. I understand they have reserved the library, so I'm assuming it's on.

That’s one reason I don’t have a checking account. The banks here are thieves and robbers. I wish I felt I could do away entirely with a bank account because the banks here are a constant source of aggravation.

I have to assume the Newslady means a green collar, not a green color. It gave me quite a start. ?

Banistmo will have a lot of competition in that contest.

No.